Your help needed to pass Family Care Act enforcement bill

Since the late 1980’s , Washington’s Family Care Act (FCA) has helped ensure workers can use their paid sick days or other paid time off to care for a sick family member. For the most part, it’s worked well — but the FCA doesn’t give state agencies authority to stop employers from retaliating against workers who use the FCA.

Lawmakers are now considering two bills to create modest enforcement provisions for the FCA. We need your help to get this legislation passed and delivered to the Governor’s desk!

It’s easy: just call the state legislative hotline at 1-800-562-6000 and say you’d like to leave a message for your state Representatives and state Senator. (You’ll need to give your street address for your message to get to the right office.) If you prefer, you can also look up your legislators here and send each of them an email.

The best message is in your own words – but here are a few talking points you can use:

I urge your support for (“House Bill 1828” if speaking with your Representative; “Substitute Senate Bill 5263“, if speaking with your Senator).

For most employees and employers in the state, the Family Care Act has been working well. Unfortunately, in some cases follow up and enforcement is necessary.

When people can care for their families, we all benefit from reduced health care costs, and employers benefit from better productivity and higher morale.

Children and adults get better more quickly when a family member is present. Follow up care is improved when family members are able to hear doctor’s instructions.